Meghan Markle playfully teases Drew Barrymore over touchy-feely behavior as host says ‘I like to connect’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Drew Barrymore, known for her notoriously clingy behavior, was playfully roasted by Meghan Markle during a recent episode of 'The Drew Barrymore Show'. The fun banter started when Barrymore expressed her love for connecting with people, prompting Markle to teasingly mock her touchy-feely behavior. 

As the conversation progressed, Markle shifted to discussing the importance of human connection. This comes after a body language expert claimed that the duchess appeared uncomfortable with Barrymore’s clinginess during the interview.

Meghan Markle teases Drew Barrymore over her clingy nature

During the Thursday, March 6, episode of ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’, Meghan Markle playfully threw a six-word jab at the talk show host after the '50 First Dates' actress discussed her affinity for connecting with others. 

As Barrymore sat very close to Markle on the interview couch, she joked, "I feel like once I’m with someone, I mean, I like to connect. I might, you know, octopus." 

Markle, with a cheeky laugh, responded, "I’ve heard you like to connect," referencing Barrymore's well-known clingy behavior.

Despite the teasing, Markle didn’t seem bothered by the closeness and even complimented Barrymore’s affectionate nature, calling it "so sweet though".

Barrymore then asked Markle how she felt about affection. The former 'Suits' actress then explained the importance of human connection, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We’ve missed human connection, certainly after the pandemic and everything else, we crave that. We crave being able to go, ‘Hi, my friend. Are you here?’ And to really be able to hold and touch and embrace someone," said Markle.

Markle also tied this idea of in-person bonding to her new Netflix cooking show 'With Love, Meghan', which debuted with mixed reviews.

She shared, "I think about with the show, certainly what hospitality has felt like for me is, how do you make people feel comfortable. How do you show up for them in spaces where they might feel like, ‘I don’t know, is this really where I should be?"

She continued, "I go, ‘Yes, you belong here. Let’s all have fun with it and not take it too seriously but see each other."

Meanwhile, Barrymore’s behavior with guests on her show has sparked criticism, including a "cringy" moment in December 2023 when she held Oprah Winfrey’s hand and caressed her arm.

In November 2024, she was also called out for awkwardly stroking Martha Stewart’s back, prompting the cookbook author to push her away, per Page Six.

Body language expert decodes Meghan Markle and Drew Barrymore’s interaction

A body language expert analyzed Meghan Markle and Drew Barrymore’s interaction, particularly a hug shown in the preview of the show.

Judi James shared her thoughts with DailyMail noting that the interaction was a rare moment for Markle, who is usually the one to initiate hugs and physical gestures. 

James explained, "This is a rare pose from Meghan who is normally the first one to move in with the hugs to register the warm, spontaneously tactile side that was apparently met with a tsunami of ice water from the royal firm back in the UK."

James continued, "She has clearly met her match in Drew, whose tactile behaviors on her chat show are a signature part of the brand. But it seems from this pose that what you get when you put two famously hugging women together is that one will bow out, namely Meghan in this case."

She further observed that Markle adopted a more reserved, "regal" pose, which may be a reflection of the colder reception she received from the royal family when she attempted similar affectionate gestures with them. 

"Her hand is hanging in her pocket rather than reciprocating the display of affection and she's flashing a wide social smile at the camera rather than tilting her head in a reciprocal gesture," said James.

"Drew clings relentlessly though, curling her arms around Meghan's waist in a partial koala embrace and tilting her head to nestle against Meghan's locks," James stated.

According to her, Barrymore’s affectionate smile conveyed a sense of warm friendship, while Markle appeared "more distanced emotionally and keener to communicate with the camera than with her host here".